Generally, there are two types
of certificates of good standing: a certificate of
good standing and a certificate of good standing
with disciplinary history. You may obtain a
certificate of good standing from the Hartford
Superior Court, and both a certificate of good
standing and a certificate of good standing with
disciplinary history from the Statewide Grievance
Committee. Contact information for both offices
appears at the end of this FAQ.

For some purposes, a third type of certificate is
required – one from the highest court of the
jurisdiction in which the attorney is admitted.
In Connecticut, that is the Connecticut Supreme
Court. Requests for these certificates must be
made to the Hartford Superior Court.

The cost of a certificate of good standing from the
Hartford Superior Court or the Statewide Grievance
Committee is $10. The cost of a certificate of good
standing with disciplinary history from the
Statewide Grievance Committee is $20.Requests to
either the Hartford Superior Court or to the
Statewide Grievance Committee must be in writing,
and must include the attorney’s
name, address, daytime telephone number, juris
number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Checks or money orders for certificates obtained
from the Hartford Superior Court should be made
payable to “Clerk, Superior Court.” Checks or money
orders for certificates of good standing from the
Statewide Grievance Committee should be made payable
to the Connecticut Judicial Branch. The fee
must accompany the request.

It depends. Generally requests are processed in
2 to 4 weeks. At certain times of the year, there is an increase in requests for certificates of good standing and a corresponding delay in processing the requests. Certificates of good standing that require a disciplinary history take longer to process because only the Statewide Bar Counsel’s office can issue these certificates. If you can establish good cause why you need a certificate of good standing quickly, you can request that the certificate be expedited. Any request for expedited service must be accompanied by a good cause statement and a prepaid, addressed overnight envelope.

3. What does "good standing" mean? Can I practice law if I am not in good standing?

Good standing means the attorney 1) has been admitted to the bar of this state; 2) has registered with the Statewide Grievance Committee in compliance with
Section 2-27(d) of the Connecticut Practice Book; 3) is in compliance with Client Security Fund requirements; and 4) is not under suspension, on inactive status, disbarred or resigned from the Connecticut bar.

If an attorney is not in good standing, but his or her license is still active, then the attorney can continue to practice law, however, he or she is not considered a commissioner of the superior court.
Each attorney-at-law admitted to practice within the state, while in good standing, is a commissioner of the Superior Court and, in that capacity, may, within the state, sign writs and subpoenas, take recognizances, administer oaths and take depositions and acknowledgments of deeds. Each attorney
in good standing may also issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and subpoenas duces tecum in administrative proceedings.
Section 51-85 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
As a matter of policy, the appellate courts in Connecticut do not allow attorneys, who are not in good standing, to appear before them. Failure to register with the Statewide Grievance Committee is considered misconduct.